The dissemination of divination in roman republican times

2) A text by Varro reproduces an ancient document 124 that mentions ager gabinum as a
separate augural category. 125 Gabii was a city close to Rome. In late republican times it was
deserted. Its significance lay in the battle of Gabii, which, according to traditional annalistic
dating, took place around 468. The peace treaty, foedus gabinum, is supposed to have existed
in late republican times (Catalano 1978: 494). Roman annalistic dating is not precise, but a
date in the 6 th century BCE is quite likely. It seems likely that the document Varro mentions
would have been produced in a situation were the relation with Gabii was of primary political
interest. This would establish the existence of the Roman augural art at least as early as the 6 th
century.
It therefore seems highly likely that the Roman augurium was solidly established in the 6 th
century BCE, and possibly even in pre-historical times.
Cultural model The inauguratio is conceptualized as a dialogue with Iuppiter Optimus
Maximus, whose approval was sought when appointing new priests or making new templa.
The birds were his messengers and the augurs his interpreters.
Auspicium
The auspicium ex caelo or ex avibus is one of the most central techniques in Roman public
divination. It is based on watching the sky, either for lightning or birds respectively. The
auspicium is confined to official magistrates who intend to perform some important action.
Thus, while the augurs use a similar technique, the effect and utility is different for the
auspices of the magistrates.
Technique The auspices must be taken by a magistrate before the action he intends to carry
out (Linderski 1986: 2296). The auspicium had to be taken after midnight during the night
(Gel.3.2.10, Liv.10.40.) before the day in which the intended action was to take place. It also
had to be taken at the place in which the action was intended. For example, in the case of
senate meetings, the auspicium had to take place at the senate house (cf. Wissowa 1896:
2585).
124 The unfortunately corrupt version which we have in the manuscripts show clear signs of very old Latin
language (Linderski 1986: 2267-2279)
125 Mommsen takes the city of Gabii as a synonym of any Italian town (Catalano 1978: 494), but that does not
seem convincing (Catalano 1978: 494).
148